MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship
Tuition completely waived, a monthly allowance and return flights — for a first degree, a Master's or a PhD in Japan.
Offered by Japanese Government (Ministry of Education — MEXT)
MEXT is the Japanese Government's own scholarship, and it is one of the most complete on this site: your tuition is exempted entirely, you receive a monthly allowance, and round-trip airfare is provided. It covers more levels than almost any other award. Research students — that means Master's and PhD — receive ¥143,000 to ¥145,000 a month. Undergraduate students receive ¥117,000 a month. So whether you are finishing secondary school or already hold a degree, there is a route here. The part most people are not ready for: on the embassy route you must sit WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS. Master's and PhD applicants are tested in Japanese and English. Undergraduate applicants are tested in Japanese, English, mathematics and science. No other scholarship on this site examines you before selection, so prepare for this from the start. You apply through the Japanese Embassy in your own country. MEXT states clearly: do NOT send documents to the ministry in Japan.
Recruitment runs April–May each year, with embassy screening from May to July
MEXT recruitment for students arriving in Japan runs between April and May of the previous year, with the first screening carried out by Japanese Embassies from May to July, and final results announced between January and early March. However, MEXT states that the exact schedule differs by country, so the only reliable dates are the ones published by the Japanese Embassy in YOUR country. Contact them directly rather than relying on a general timetable.
Details checked against the official source on 13 August 2026. Rules change every year — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
TontonAfriJobs is not connected to this scholarship and never charges any fee. You can apply yourself, for free, using the steps below. Nobody needs to apply on your behalf.
Fully funded
Bachelors, Masters, Phd
Recruitment runs April–May each year, with embassy screening from May to July
Written exams in Japanese and English at the embassy — Japanese language training is provided after selection
Competitive
What the scholarship pays for
What you still pay for yourself
Find your country
MEXT is offered through Japanese Embassies and Consulates General, so it is available across Africa — including in countries shut out of UK awards. Your first step is to contact the Japanese Embassy in your own country, because each embassy runs its own schedule and its own screening.
Don't see your country? Eligibility can change each year — check the official country list.
Can I apply?
You need to be able to tick every box below. Each one links to the official page that states the rule.
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For Master's or PhD (research students): you must be UNDER 35 and eligible for admission to a master's or doctoral programme at a Japanese graduate school. Official eligibility
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For a first degree (undergraduate students): you must be UNDER 25 and have completed 12 years of schooling, or a school comparable to a Japanese high school. Students still finishing secondary school may apply. Undergraduate eligibility
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You must sit and pass the embassy's written examinations. For research students these are Japanese and English; for undergraduates, Japanese, English, mathematics and science. Examinations required
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You must apply through the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in your own country. MEXT states plainly that documents sent directly to the ministry in Japan will not be accepted. Embassy recommendation procedure
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You need a Certificate of Health completed by a professional medical doctor, submitted with your application. Required documents
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There is also a separate Teacher Training route for serving primary or secondary teachers with at least 5 years' experience, and a Young Leaders Program for those under 40 in public administration. All seven MEXT routes
How to apply, step by step
Do these in order. Every step links to the exact official page you need — you never have to guess, and you never need an agent.
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1
Pick your route: research student, or undergraduate
Research students means Master's or PhD and requires you to be under 35. Undergraduate means a first degree and requires you to be under 25. There are also teacher training and Young Leaders routes. The allowance and the exams differ between them.
Compare all routes -
2
Contact the Japanese Embassy in your country for its schedule
MEXT says the process and schedule differ by country. Recruitment generally runs April to May with screening from May to July, but your embassy sets the actual dates, and only they can tell you.
Find your Japanese Embassy -
3
Download and read the official application guidelines
MEXT is explicit that applicants MUST read the guidelines and follow them exactly. The forms may be handwritten, typed or filled in on a computer and printed — all three are accepted.
Guidelines and forms -
4
Start practising with the past exam papers now
This is the step most applicants skip. MEXT publishes real past papers as samples. Because the embassy screening includes written tests, working through these is the single most useful preparation you can do, and it is free.
Past exam questions -
5
Write your Field of Study and Research Plan
Research students must submit a plan setting out what they intend to study. This carries real weight — it is how the reviewing university decides whether it can supervise you.
Research plan form -
6
Get your Certificate of Health signed by a doctor
This must be completed by a professional medical doctor on MEXT's own form. Book the appointment early — it is a common cause of late applications.
Certificate of Health -
7
Submit to the embassy, then sit the exams and interview
Submit everything to the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General — never to MEXT in Japan. First screening including the written exams happens between May and July, and final results with your assigned university come between January and early March.
Application procedure
Papers you need to prepare
Start gathering these early — some take weeks to get.
The MEXT application form for your year
May be handwritten, typed or completed on a computer and printed.
Placement Preference Application Form
Where you state which Japanese universities you would like to attend.
Field of Study and Research Plan
Research students only — this is what a Japanese university will judge you on.
Certificate of Health
MUST be filled in by a professional medical doctor. Book early.
A recommendation letter
MEXT provides a sample, but states that any form or style of letter is accepted.
Academic transcripts and certificates
From your school or university, depending on your route.
English test — which one to take
An English test proves you can study in English. You take it at a test centre (or sometimes at home), pay a fee, and receive a score. Book directly on the official website below — never pay an agent to book it for you.
MEXT written examinations (Japanese and English)
Every embassy-route applicant. Master's and PhD applicants sit Japanese and English. Undergraduate applicants sit Japanese, English, mathematics and science.
MEXT publishes PAST EXAM PAPERS as samples on its official site. Practise with those — they are free, and they are the actual tests you will sit.
Japanese language (learn before you apply)
You do not need to be fluent — Japanese language training is provided after selection — but you are examined in Japanese, so some preparation genuinely helps.
The Japan Foundation publishes free Japanese learning materials online. Starting early costs you nothing and improves your exam score.
Questions people ask
How much is the MEXT scholarship per month?
The MEXT scholarship pays ¥143,000 to ¥145,000 per month for research students (Master's and PhD) and ¥117,000 per month for undergraduate students. Tuition fees are exempted in full, and round-trip travel expenses to Japan are provided, so the monthly allowance is for living costs rather than fees.
Does the MEXT scholarship cover undergraduate degrees?
Yes. The MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship funds undergraduate study as well as Master's and PhD study. Undergraduate applicants must be under 25 and have completed 12 years of schooling, and students still finishing secondary school may apply. The undergraduate award lasts 5 years including Japanese language training.
Is there an age limit for the MEXT scholarship?
Yes. MEXT research students, meaning Master's and PhD applicants, must be under 35 years of age. Undergraduate applicants must be under 25. The Young Leaders Program accepts applicants under 40, and teacher training applicants must be under 35 with at least five years of teaching experience.
Do I need to speak Japanese for the MEXT scholarship?
You do not need to be fluent, because Japanese language training is provided as part of the award. However, the embassy recommendation route includes written examinations in Japanese and English for research students, so some Japanese preparation before you apply genuinely helps. MEXT publishes past exam papers free on its official website.
How do I apply for the MEXT scholarship from Africa?
You apply through the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in your own country, submitting your application form, Certificate of Health and recommendation letter to them. MEXT states clearly that you must NOT send application documents directly to the ministry in Japan. Each embassy sets its own schedule, so contact yours for the exact dates.
When is the MEXT scholarship deadline?
MEXT recruitment generally takes place between April and May of the year before you would travel, with first screening by Japanese Embassies from May to July and final results announced between January and early March. The exact schedule differs by country, so the Japanese Embassy in your own country is the only reliable source for your deadline.
Is there an exam for the MEXT scholarship?
Yes. The MEXT embassy recommendation route includes written examinations, which is unusual among international scholarships. Research students are examined in Japanese and English. Undergraduate applicants are examined in Japanese, English, mathematics and science, with science applicants choosing two of chemistry, physics or biology. Past papers are published free on the official Study in Japan website.
Tips that genuinely improve your chances
- Download the past exam papers the day you decide to apply. The written test is what separates MEXT from every other scholarship here.
- If you are under 25 and finishing secondary school, look at the undergraduate route — very few governments fund a full first degree abroad.
- Book your medical appointment for the Certificate of Health weeks ahead. A doctor's signature is not something to chase in the final days.
- Contact your Japanese Embassy early and ask for their schedule in writing. The national timetable is only a guide.
- Start free Japanese lessons now even though training is provided later. You are examined in Japanese before anyone teaches it to you.
Protect yourself from scams
MEXT scholarships are free to apply for and are handled only by the Japanese Embassy or Consulate General in your country. MEXT explicitly instructs applicants not to send documents to the ministry in Japan, and no agent or consultant can submit, recommend or fast-track your application. Official forms, guidelines and past exam papers are all free to download from studyinjapan.go.jp — never pay anyone for them.
Ready to apply?
Applications are made directly on the official website — it is free, and you do it yourself.